Electrical connecting apparatus and contacts used therefor

ABSTRACT

An electrical connecting apparatus  10  comprises: a base plate  16  provided on its underside  14  with a plurality of pedestals  12  at intervals in a front-back direction; and multiple contact groups, each of which has a first contact  18  and a second contact  19.  Each first contact  18  includes a needle body portion  24  having a rear end portion  20  supported on the pedestal  12  and a front end portion  22  which is a free end and extending leftward. Each second contact  19  includes a needle body portion  25  having a rear end portion  21  supported on the pedestal  12  and a front end portion  23  which is a free end and extending rightward. When the first contact  18  is broken, the second contacts  19  can be used.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter relates to an electrical connecting apparatus for anelectrical test of an electronic device such as a semiconductor elementand contacts to be used for the electrical connecting apparatus.

BACKGROUND

An electrical connecting apparatus is provided with a plurality ofcontacts, brings the front end (tip) of each contact into contact withan electrode of an electronic device, and passes a current through theelectronic device, thereby receiving an electrical signal from theelectronic device and transferring the signal to a tester connected withthe apparatus to conduct a test of electrical property.

Usually, multiple contacts are arranged in the electrical connectingapparatus in one or more rows to correspond to the arrangement of theelectrodes of the electronic device to be tested.

In such a row or rows of the contacts, when one contact becomes unusableor unsuitable for use due to breakage, wear or the like, even if theother contacts of the same row is sufficiently usable, it becomesimpossible to test of the electronic device by using the row. If thereare many unusable contacts, it can be taken into consideration toreplace the electrical connecting apparatus itself, but if there areonly a few, it is economical to replace only such contacts.

In Patent Documents 1-3 are described such methods of replacing unusablecontacts.

The method of replacing as described in Patent Document 1 is carried outin such a manner as, after cutting and removing a probe which becameunusable, a replaceable probe is newly attached to a fixing region seton the electric wiring of a wiring board.

According to this method of replacing, however, the narrower a pitchbetween the probes is, the harder the replacing work becomes.

The replacing method according to Patent Document 2 is carried out byforming a block (probe card sub-base plate at each of the probes) andreplacing the block to which the unusable probes belong.

There is a problem in this method, however, that a work for adjusting apitch between a newly replaced block and the other blocks isnecessitated, which is troublesome and inconvenient. In addition, thereis another problem that it also takes time and labor in positioning toremount a probe card which had been dismounted from a probe cardassembling apparatus for the replacement work.

The replacing method described in Patent Document 3 is carried out byreplacing a needle having bad conductivity with a spare needle.

This replacing method, however, is meant to be applied to an integratedcircuit chip to be tested which is provided with spare electrodes, sothat it is not suitable for ordinary integrated circuit chips which haveno spare electrodes.

Further, as a prior art of an electrical connecting apparatus providedwith contacts and their spare contacts, Patent Document 4 describes onewhich uses a spare probe when a probe becomes unusable. The probe carddescribed in Patent Document 4 comprises probes and spare probesjuxtaposed thereto.

However, since the spare probes of this probe card is juxtaposed to theprobes which become unusable and arranged in the same probe rows, if apitch between the probes and the spare probes is narrow, it is difficultto use the spare probe alternatively for the probe which becameunusable.

-   -   Patent Document 1: JP Patent Appln. Public Disclosure No.        2007-107937    -   Patent Document 2: JP Patent Appln. Public Disclosure No.        6-349904    -   Patent Document 3: JP Patent Appln. Public Disclosure No.        7-245330    -   Patent Document 4: JP Patent Appln. Public Disclosure No.        6-294817

SUMMARY

An electrical connecting apparatus is provided by which, when one of thecontacts of the electrical connecting apparatus is bent or broken andbecomes no longer usable, the other contact corresponding thereto can beused to lengthen a replacement cycle of the electrical connectingapparatus.

Another connecting apparatus is provided by which, when one of thecontacts of the electrical connecting apparatus is bent or broken andbecomes no longer usable, the other contact corresponding thereto can beused to lengthen a replacement cycle of the contacts.

The electrical connecting apparatus comprises: a base plate providedwith an underside and a plurality of connecting portions arranged on theunderside at intervals in the front-back direction; and multiple contactgroups each of which has a pair of contacts, and each contact includes aneedle body portion having one end portion supported at the connectingportion and the other end which is a free end extending in theright-left direction.

The needle body portion of one of the contacts in each contact groupextends from the connecting portion to one side in the right-leftdirection, and the needle body portion of the other contact in eachcontact group extends from the connecting portion to the other side inthe right-left direction.

Each contact can further includes a tip portion directed downward fromthe other end portion. Also, the tip portion has a tip at its lower end,and the tip of the one contact may be positioned lower than the tip ofthe other contact.

The one and the other contacts may be formed integrally. The needle bodyportion of the one contact and the needle body portion of the othercontact may be supported at a common connecting portion. The needle bodyportion of the one contact can be made longer than the needle bodyportion of the other contact. Each contact can be made of a flexibleelectrically conductive material. Each contact includes a plurality ofstoppers positioned above it and arranged on the underside of the baseplate, and each stopper has an underside adapted to the upside of eachcontact.

The contact used for the electrical connecting apparatus in someembodiments has a main body portion with both end portions and a tipportion extending from each of both end portions downward in thevertical direction.

Since the electrical connecting apparatus according to an embodimentcomprises multiple contact groups each having a pair of contacts, if oneof the contacts of one of the groups becomes unusable, all of the othersof the contacts of all the groups can be used, thereby lengthening areplacement cycle of the electrical connecting apparatus on account ofoccurrence of an unusable contact.

In addition, each of the contacts used in the electrical connectingapparatus according to an embodiment being provided with the tip portionextending from each of both ends of the needle body portion downward inthe vertical direction, so that even if one of the tip portions becomesunusable due to bending or breakage, the tip of the other tip portioncan be used, thereby lengthening a replacement cycle of the contacts onaccount of occurrence of an unusable contact.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1(A) is a schematic section showing a first embodiment of theelectrical connecting apparatus together with electrodes of anelectronic device; FIG. 1(B) is a view seeing the first and secondcontacts in FIG. 1(A) from above; and FIG. 1(C) shows a state where thetips are brought into contact with the electrodes by raising theelectronic device in FIG. 1(A) vertically.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a state where a plurality of the first contactsare in contact with a plurality of electrodes of the electronic devicein one-to-one correspondence, together with a partially enlarged view.

FIGS. 3(A) through (C) are schematic views explaining a change from astate of using the first contacts to a state of using the secondcontacts.

FIG. 4(A) is a schematic section showing a second embodiment of theelectrical connecting apparatus together with the electrodes of theelectronic device to be tested; and FIG. 4(B) shows a state where thetips are brought into contact with the electrodes by raising theelectronic device in FIG. 4(A) vertically.

FIG. 5(A) is a schematic section showing a third embodiment of theelectrical connecting apparatus together with the electrodes of theelectronic device to be tested; and FIG. 5(B) shows a state where thesecond contacts are brought into contact with the electrodes byvertically raising the electronic device in FIG. 5(A).

FIG. 6(A) is a schematic section showing a fourth embodiment of theelectrical connecting apparatus together with the electrodes of theelectronic device to be tested; and FIG. 6(B) is a schematic section ofthe electrical connecting apparatus in a state where the second contactsare brought into contact with the electrodes of the electronic device.

FIG. 7(A) is a schematic section of a fifth embodiment of the electricalconnecting apparatus; and FIG. 7(B) is a schematic section of theelectrical connecting apparatus in a state where the first contacts arebrought into contact with the electrodes of the electronic device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following are explained preferable embodiments with reference tothe drawings.

Explanation of Terms

In the embodiments, the front-back direction is a direction orthogonalto a longitudinal axial direction of the contact and also parallel tothe sheet surface; right-left direction is longitudinal axial directionof the contact; and the up-down direction is a vertical directionrelative to the sheet surface. These directions, however, differdepending on an attitude of an electronic device, which is a deviceunder test, at the time of disposing the device in a test apparatus forattaching the electrical connecting apparatus.

Embodiment 1

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, embodiment 1 of the electrical connectingapparatus will be explained.

Referring to FIG. 1(A), the electrical connecting apparatus is shown bya schematic section together with an electrode of an electronic device.

The electrical connecting apparatus 10 according to this embodimentcomprises a disk-shaped base plate 16 having a plurality of pedestals 12(only one is shown in FIG. 1(A)) at intervals in the front-backdirection on the underside 14, and multiple contact groups (FIG. 2) eachhaving a pair of a first contact 18 and a second contact 19.

The first contacts 18 and the second contacts 19 have an identical shapeand an identical length and are made of a flexible electricallyconductive metal material such as tungsten, nickel or the like.

Each first contact 18 includes a needle body portion 24 which has a rearend portion (one end portion) 20 and a front end portion (the other endportion) 22. The needle body portion 24 extends leftward from thepedestal 12 and approximately in parallel to the base plate 16.

Each second contact 19 includes a needle body portion 25 which has arear end portion (one end portion) 21 supported on the pedestal 12 and afront end portion (the other end portion) 23. The needle body portion 25extends rightward from the pedestal 12 and approximately in parallel tothe base plate 16.

Thus, as shown, each first contact 18 is cantilevered at the rear endportion 20 so as to be positioned on the left side from the pedestal 12.Also, each second contact 19 is cantilevered so as to be positioned onthe right side from the pedestal 12.

The front end portion 22 of each needle body portion 24 includes a tipportion 28 having a tip 26 at its front end. Each needle body portion 25includes a tip portion 29 having a tip 27 at its front end. The rear endof each needle body portion 24 is connected to the rear end of theneedle body portion 25.

Vertically downward of the tips 26 are electrode pads 32 of anelectronic device 30. When passing electric current through theelectronic device 30, the electronic device 30 rises vertically, and theelectrode pads 32 contact the tips 26. Then, an electrical signalinputted to the electrical connecting apparatus 10 through the tip 26 isfed to a tester (not shown) connected to the electrical connectingapparatus 10 and is tested an electrical property. The tips 26 and thetips 27 have the identical shape.

The base plate 16 includes an FPC (flexible printed circuit) (notshown), and the contacts 18, 19 are connected to the FPC through thewiring within the corresponding common pedestal 12. Each pedestal 12 is,for example, made of an insulating material and arranged so as tocontact both contacts 18, 19. Incidentally, the pedestal, if made of ametal material, can be integrated with the contacts 18, 19. Also, thepedestal acts as a so-called connecting portion.

FIG. 1(B) is a view of the first and second contacts 18, 19 connected tothe pedestal 12 seen from above in a state where the base plate 16 inFIG. 1(A) is removed.

FIG. 1(C) shows a state where the tips 26 are brought into contact withthe electrode pads 32 by vertically raising the electronic device 30 bya moving apparatus (not shown). As shown in this view, each firstcontact 18 becomes an upwardly warped state (overdrive state), and aseach tip 26 scrapes off an oxide film on the surface of each electrodepad 32, an electrical contact is established between each tip 26 andeach electrode pad 32. On the other hand, each second contact 19 is heldat a height H2 where it does not contact the electronic device 30.

FIG. 2 shows a state where a plurality of the first contacts 18 are incontact with a plurality of the electrode pads 32 of the electronicdevice 30 in one-to-one correspondence together with its partiallyenlarged view.

FIGS. 3(A)-(C) are conceptual diagrams explaining a change (work forreplacing contacts) from a state of using the first contacts 18 to astate of using the second contacts 19.

As shown in FIG. 3(A), the electronic device 30 is provided with a rowof electrode pads 32 arranged at intervals in the front-back direction,and each contact 18 is brought into contact with the correspondingelectrode pad 32.

When one contact is broken around its center (a state as shown by “X” inFIG. 3(A)), the electronic device 30 is lowered, and each contact 18 ismade contactless with the corresponding electrode pad 32. Thereafter,all the other contacts 18 are cut by bending at positions close to theirrear end portions 20 (FIG. 3(B)) by means of a tool such as a pair oftweezers. Then, the electronic device 30 is moved rightward by a movingapparatus (not shown) to position the electrode pads 32 vertically belowthe tips 27 of the second contacts 19, the electronic device 30 is againvertically raised to bring the tips 26 into contact with the electrodepads 30 (FIG. 3(C)). Because of these series of actions, even if onecontact 18 is broken, replacement and restoration of contacts can beeasily made by substituting the second contacts 19.

As shown in FIG. 3(B), since the tip portions 28 of all the othercontacts 18 are removed, the tips 26 can be prevented from accidentallycontacting the neighboring electrode pads 32.

Embodiment 2

Embodiment 2 of the electrical connecting apparatus according to anotherembodiment is explained with reference to FIG. 4.

FIG. 4(A) is a schematic section showing the electrical connectingapparatus together with the electrodes of the electronic device.

The electrical connecting apparatus 40 according to the embodimentcomprises: a disk-shaped base plate 46 having a plurality of pedestals(connecting portions) 42 (FIG. 4(A) shows only one of them) on theunderside 44; and multiple contact groups (equivalent to the contactgroups of the first contacts 18 and the second contacts 19 in FIG. 2)each having a pair of a first contact 48 and a second contact 49.

The first contacts 48 and the second contacts 49 have an identical shapeand an identical length, and are made of a flexible electricallyconducting metal material such as tungsten, nickel or the like.

Each first contact 48 has a needle body portion 54 including a rear endportion (one end portion) 50 and a front end portion (the other endportion) 51 which is a free end. The needle body portion 54 extendsleftward from the pedestal 42 approximately in parallel to the baseplate 46.

Each second contact 49 has a needle body portion 55 including a rear endportion (one end portion) 51 supported on the pedestal 42 and a frontend portion (the other end portion) 53 which is a free end. The needlebody portion 55 extends rightward from the pedestal 42 approximately inparallel to the base plate 46.

In this embodiment, the first contact 48 and the second contact 49 areintegrally formed, and the pedestal 42 is disposed substantially at thecentral portion of the first contact 48 and the second contact 49. Thus,the lengths of the needle body portion 54 of the first contact 48 andthe needle body portion 55 of the second contact 49 are equal.

Accordingly, as illustrated, each first contact 48 is cantilevered atthe rear end portion 50 so as to be positioned on the left side from thepedestal 42. And each second contact 49 is cantilevered at the rear endportion 51 so as to be positioned on the right side from the pedestal42.

The front end portion 52 of each needle body portion 54 has a tipportion 58 including a tip 56 at its front end. Each needle body portion55 has a tip portion 59 including a tip 57 at its front end. The rearend of each needle body portion 54 is connected integrally with the rearend of the needle body portion 55.

Vertically below the tips 56 are electrode pads 62 of an electronicdevice 60. When passing electric current through the electronic device60, the electronic device 60 rises vertically, and the electrode pads 62contact the tips 56. At this time, an electrical signal inputted throughthe tip 56 to the electrical connecting apparatus 40 is fed to a tester(not shown) connected to the electrical connecting apparatus 40, to testelectrical properties. The tips 56 and the tips 57 have the sameconfiguration.

The base plate 46 has an FPC (flexible print circuit) (not shown), andthe contacts 48, 49 are connected to the FPC through the wiring withinthe corresponding common pedestal 42. Each pedestal 42 is made of, forexample, an insulating material and is disposed so as to be connected toboth contacts 48, 49. Incidentally, if the pedestal of a metal materialis made of a metal material, the contacts 48, 49 and the pedestal 42 maybe made integrally. Also, the pedestal 42 acts as a what is calledconnecting portion.

The electronic device 60 used in this embodiment has a plurality of bumpelectrodes 62, each of which has a height H3 (FIG. 4(A)) higher than theheight H1 (FIG. 1(A)) of the electrode pads 32 of the electronic device30.

FIG. 4(B) shows a state where the tips 56 are brought into contact withthe electrodes 62 by vertically raising the electronic device 60 in FIG.4(A) by a moving apparatus (not shown). As shown in FIG. 4(B), the firstcontacts 48 are warped upward (overdrive state) and each tip 56 scrapesoff an oxide film on the surface of each bump electrode 60, therebyestablishing an electrical connection between each tip 56 and each bumpelectrode 60. On the other hand, each second contact 49 is held at aheight H4 at which the second contact 49 does not contact the electronicdevice 60.

Also, in the electrical connecting apparatus 40, as explained in FIGS.3(A)-(C), a change (exchanging operation of contacts) from a state ofusing the first contacts 48 to a state of using the second contacts 49is made.

Embodiment 3

Embodiment 3 of the electrical connecting apparatus according to anotherembodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. 5.

FIG. 5(A) is a schematic section in which the electrical connectingapparatus is shown together with the electrode of the electronic deviceto be tested.

The electrical connecting apparatus 70 according to this embodimentcomprises: a disk-shaped base plate 76 having a plurality of pedestals(connecting portions) 72 (only one is shown in FIG. 4(A)) at intervalsin the front-back direction on the underside 74; and multiple contactgroups, (equivalent to the contact groups of the first contacts 18 andthe second contacts 19 in FIG. 2) each including a pair of a firstcontact 78 and a second contact 79.

The first contacts 78 and the second contacts 79 are made of a flexibleelectrically conductive metal material such as tungsten, nickel or thelike.

Each first contact 78 includes a needle body portion 84 having a rearend portion (one end portion) 80 supported on the pedestal 72 and afront end portion (the other end portion) 82 which is a free end. Theneedle body portion 84 extends leftward from the pedestal 72approximately in parallel to the base plate 76.

Each second contact 79 includes a needle body portion 85 which has arear end portion (one end portion) 81 supported on the pedestal 72 and afront end portion (the other end portion) 83. The needle body portion 85extends rightward from the pedestal 72 approximately in parallel to thebase plate 76

The pedestal 72 is disposed rather closer to the front end portion 83from the central portion of the first and second contacts 78, 79.Therefore, the length of the needle body portion 84 of each firstcontact 78 is longer than that of the needle body portion 85 of eachsecond contact 79.

Accordingly, as illustrated, each first contact 78 is cantilevered atthe rear end portion 80 so as to be positioned on the left side from thepedestal 72. In addition, each second contact 79 is cantilevered at therear end portion 81 so as to be positioned on the right side from thepedestal 72.

The front end portion 82 of each needle body portion 84 includes a tipportion 88 having a tip 86 at its front end. Each needle body portion 85includes a tip portion 89 having a tip 87 at its front end. The rear endof each needle body portion 84 is connected integrally to the rear endof the needle body portion 85.

There are electrode pads 92 of the electronic device 90 vertically belowthe tips 86. When conducting a test of passing electric current, theelectronic device 90 rises vertically by a moving apparatus (not shown),and the electrode pads 92 come into contact with the tips 86. At thistime, an electrical signal inputted to the electrical connectingapparatus 70 through the tip 86 is fed to a tester (not shown) connectedto the electrical connecting apparatus 70 to test electrical properties.The tips 86 and the tips 87 have an identical configuration.

The base plate 76 includes an FPC (flexible print circuit) (not shown),and the contacts 78, 79 are connected to the FPC through the wiringwithin the common pedestal 72. Each pedestal 72 is made of, for example,an electrically insulating material and is disposed so as to contactboth contacts 78 and 79. Incidentally, if the pedestal 72 is made of ametal material, the contacts 78, 79 and the pedestal 72 may be madeintegrally. Also, the pedestal 72 acts as what is called the connectingportion.

The electronic device 90 used in this embodiment has a plurality of bumpelectrodes 92, each of which has a height H5 (FIG. 5(A)) higher than theheight H1 (FIG. 1(A)) of the electrode pad 32 of the electronic device30.

FIG. 5(B) shows a state where the tips 86 are brought into contact withthe electrodes 92 by vertically raising the electronic device 90 by amoving apparatus (not shown). As shown in FIG. 4(B), when each firstcontact 78 is warped upward and each tip 86 scrapes off the oxide filmon the surface of each bump electrode 92, electrical connections areestablished between the tips 86 and the bump electrodes 92. On the otherhand, each second contact 79 is held at a height H6 where the secondcontact 79 does not contact the electronic device 90.

Also, in the electrical connecting apparatus 70, as explained in FIGS.3(A)-(C), a change from a state of using the first contacts 78 to astate of using the second contacts 79 (exchange operation of contacts)is made.

Embodiment 4

Embodiment 4 of the electrical connecting apparatus according to anotherembodiment is explained with reference to FIG. 6.

FIG. 6(A) is a schematic section in which the electrical connectingapparatus is shown together with the electrode of the electronic device.

An electrical connecting apparatus 100 according to this embodimentcomprises: a disk-shaped base plate 106 including a plurality ofpedestals (connecting portions) 102 (only one is shown in FIG. 6(A)) atintervals in the front-back direction on the underside 104; and multiplecontact groups (equivalent to the contact groups of the first contacts18 and the second contacts 19 in FIG. 2) each group including a pair ofa first contact 108 and a second contact 109.

The first contacts 108 and the second contacts 109 are made of aflexible electrically conductive metal material such as tungsten, nickelor the like.

Each first contact 108 includes a needle body portion 114 having a rearend portion (one end portion) supported on the pedestal 102 and a frontend portion (the other end portion) which is a free end. The needle bodyportion 114 extends leftward from the pedestal 102 approximately inparallel to the base plate 106.

Each second contact 109 includes a needle body portion 115 having a rearend portion (one end portion) 111 supported on the pedestal 102 and afront end portion (the other end portion) 113 which is a free end. Theneedle body portion 115 extends rightward from the pedestal 102approximately in parallel to the base plate 106.

The pedestal 102 is disposed rather closer to the front end portion 113from the central portion of the first contact 108 and the second contact109. Therefore, the length of the needle body portion 114 of each firstcontact 108 is longer than that of the needle body portion 115 of eachsecond contact 109.

Thus, as illustrated, each first contact 108 is cantilevered at the rearend portion 110 so as to be positioned on the left side from thepedestal 102. Also, each second contact 109 is cantilevered at the rearend portion 111 so as to be positioned on the right side from thepedestal 102.

The front end portion 112 of each needle body portion 114 includes a tipportion 118 having a tip 116 at its front end. Each needle body portion115 has a tip portion 119 having a tip 117 at its front end. The rearend of each needle body portion 114 is connected integrally to the rearend of the needle body portion 115.

There are electrode pads 122 of an electronic device 120 verticallybelow the tips 116. When conducting a test of passing electric currentthrough the electronic device 120, the electronic device 120 risesvertically by a moving apparatus (not shown) and brought into contactwith the tips 116. At this time, an electrical signal inputted to theelectrical connecting apparatus 100 through the tip 116 is fed to atester (not shown) connected to the electrical connecting apparatus 100to test electrical properties. The tips 116 and 117 have an identicalconfiguration.

The base plate 106 includes an FPC (flexible print circuit) (not shown),and the contacts 108, 109 are connected to the FPC through the wiringwithin the corresponding common pedestal 102. Each pedestal 102 is madeof, for example, an electrically insulating material and disposed so asto contact both contacts 108, 109. Incidentally, if the pedestal is madeof a metal material, the contacts 108, 109 and the pedestal 102 may bemade integrally. Also, the pedestal 102 acts as what is called theconnecting portion.

The electronic device 120 used in this embodiment has a plurality ofbump electrodes 122 each of which has a height H7 (FIG. 6(A)) higherthan the height H1 (FIG. 1(A)) of the electrode pad 32 of the electronicdevice 30.

Though not shown, by slightly raising the electronic device 120vertically by a moving apparatus (not shown), each first contact 108 iswarped upward (overdrive state), and each tip 116 scrapes off the oxidefilm on the surface of each bump electrode 122, whereby an electricalconnection is established between each tip 116 and each bump electrode122. On the other hand, each second contact 109 is held at a heightwhere the second contact 109 is not brought into contact with theelectronic device 120.

Each needle body portion 114 is bent slightly upward near the endportion on the side of the second contact 109 of the pedestal portion102, each second contact 109 being supported at a higher position thaneach first contact 108. Thus, even if the electrode pads 32 are verythin or disposed flush with the electronic device 30, the tip 117 ofeach second contact 109 is held at a height where it does not contactthe electronic device 120.

FIG. 6(B) shows a schematic section of the electrical connectingapparatus 100 in a state where, after removing the first contacts 108 inan exchanging work of contacts, the second contact 109 corresponding toeach first contact 108 is brought into contact with the electrode pad122 of the electronic device 120.

In the electrical connecting apparatus 100 as well, as explained in FIG.3(A)-(C), a change (exchange work of contacts) from a state of using thefirst contacts 108 to a state of using the second contacts 109 is made.

Embodiment 5

Embodiment 5 of the electrical connecting apparatus according to anotherembodiment is explained with reference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 7(A) is a schematic section of the electrical connecting apparatus.

The electrical connecting apparatus 100 according to this embodimentcomprises: a disk-shaped base plate 136 with a plurality of pedestals(connecting portions) 132 (in FIG. 7(A) only one is shown) at intervalsin the front-back direction on the underside 134; and multiple contactgroups (equivalent to the contact groups of the first contacts 18 andthe second contacts 19 in FIG. 2), each having a pair of the firstcontacts 138 and the second contacts 139.

The first contacts 138 and the second contacts 139 are made of aflexible electrically conductive metal material such as tungsten, nickelor the like.

Each first contact 138 includes a needle body portion 144 having a rearend portion (one end portion) 140 supported on the pedestal 132 and afront end portion (the other end portion) 142 which is a free end. Theneedle body portion 144 extends leftward from the pedestal 132approximately in parallel to the base plate 136.

Each second contact 139 includes a needle body portion 145 having a rearend portion (one end portion) 141 supported on the pedestal 132 and afront end portion (the other end portion) 143 which is a free end. Theneedle body portion 145 extends rightward from the pedestal 132approximately in parallel to the base plate 136.

The pedestal 102 is disposed approximately at the central portion of thefirst contact 108 and the second contact 109. Therefore, the length ofeach needle body portion 144 and the length of each needle body portion145 are equal.

Accordingly, as illustrated, each first contact 108 is cantilevered atthe rear end portion 110 so as to be positioned the left side from thepedestal 102. Each second contact 109 is cantilevered at the rear endportion 111 so as to be positioned on the right side from the pedestal102.

The front end portion 142 of each needle body portion 144 includes a tipportion 148 having a tip at its front end. Each needle body portion 144includes a tip portion 148 having a tip 146 at its front end. The rearend of each needle body portion 145 is integrally connected to the rearend of the needle body portion 149.

Not shown in the drawings, but there are electrode pads of theelectronic device vertically below the tips 146. When a test of passingelectricity through the electronic device is conducted, the electronicdevice rises vertically by a moving apparatus (not shown), and theelectrode pads contact the tips 146 in a state where each first contact138 is warped upward (an overdrive state). At this time, each tip 146scrapes off the oxide film on the surface of each electrode of theelectronic device, thereby establishing an electrical contact betweeneach tip 146 and each electrode. On the other hand, each second contact139 is held at a height not to contact the electronic device.

When an electrical contact is established between each tip 146 and eachelectrode, an electrical signal inputted to the electrical connectingapparatus 130 through the tip 146 is fed to a tester (not shown)connected to the electrical connecting apparatus 130 to test electricalproperties. The tips 146 and the tips 147 have an identicalconfiguration.

The base plate 136 includes an FPC (flexible print circuit) (not shown),and the contacts 138, 139 are connected to the FPC through the wiringwithin the corresponding common pedestal 132. Each pedestal 132 is, forexample, made of an insulating material and is arranged so as to contactboth contacts 138, 139. Incidentally, if the pedestal is made of a metalmaterial, the contacts 138, 139 and the pedestal 132 may be madeintegrally. And the pedestal 132 acts as what is called the connectingportion.

The base plate 136 includes on the underside 134 a plurality of stoppers150 each having a configuration to conform to the upside configurationof the first or second contacts 138, 139. Each stopper 150 is made of anelectrically insulating material.

When testing the electronic device, each tip 146 contacting theelectrode of the electronic device pushes up each contact 144, but thestopper 150 prevents the contact 138 in a state of being warped upward(in an overdrive state) from contacting the underside 134 of the baseplate 136 (FIG. 7(B)).

Incidentally, though not shown, as the electrode of the electronicdevice used in this embodiment, any of the electrodes used in theembodiments 1-4 above can be employed.

In the electrical connecting apparatus 100 as well, as explained in FIG.3(A)-(C), a change (exchanging work of contacts) from a state of usingthe first contacts 108 to a state of using the second contacts 109 ismade.

In the above embodiments, the first and second contacts are electricallyconnected to each other by a common connecting portion (pedestal), butthe first and the second contacts may be supported by one and the otherof the two electrically connected connecting portions.

In the above embodiments, needle-type contacts were used, but thedescribed subject matter can be applied to an electrical connectingapparatus using plate-like contacts as described in WO2004/102207 and toan electrical connecting apparatus using the same as well.

In the above embodiments, the base plate may be either a wiring board ora probe base plate arranged on the underside of the wiring board asdescribed in WO2004/102207.

In the above embodiments, the first contact and the second contact areconnected to each other at each rear end portion, but if they areelectrically connected through, for example, a pedestal, it is notnecessary to connect the first contact and the second contact directlyto each other.

Also, though the first contact and the second contact were linearlyconnected at each rear end portion, it is possible to connect the one tothe other in an overlapped state.

In the above embodiments, the pedestal has a rectangular solid shape,but it is possible to provide an inclination or a difference in level ina contact plane of the pedestal and the base plate or the first contactand the second contact, to make the heights of respective tips of thefirst contact and the second contact from the electronic device mutuallydifferent.

Thus, for instance, if the tip of the second contact is set at a higherposition than the tip of the first contact, the tip of the secondcontact not used does not contact another electrode pad or theelectronic device or the like, thereby preventing malfunction of theelectrical connecting apparatus.

In particular, because of necessity to use the contacts in an overdrivestate, when the height (thickness) of the electrode pad is small, it isespecially desirable to set the tip of the second contact at a higherposition than the tip of the first contact.

In the above embodiments, when in use, the second contacts as well asthe first contacts are also brought into contact with the electrode padsin a state of being warped upward (overdrive state), and each tipscrapes off the oxide film on the surface of each pad electrode, therebyestablishing an electrical contact between each tip and each padelectrode.

In the above embodiments, when the second contacts are used, in order toprevent the tips of the first contacts from mistakenly contacting theelectrode pads in the vicinity, it is enough to break the first contactsso as to remove at least the tip of each first contact.

The described subject matter is not restricted to the above embodimentsbut can be altered in various ways without departing from its spirit.

1. An electrical connecting apparatus comprising: a base plate having anunderside and provided with a plurality of connecting portions arrangedon said underside at intervals in a front-back direction; and multiplecontact groups, each having a pair of contacts; wherein each contactincludes a needle body portion having one end portion supported on saidconnecting portion and the other end portion which is a free end andextending in a right-left direction; and wherein the needle body portionof one of contacts in each contact group extends from said connectingportion toward one side in the right-left direction, while the needlebody portion of the other contact in each contact group extends fromsaid connecting portion toward the other side in the right-leftdirection.
 2. The electrical connecting apparatus claimed in claim 1,wherein each contact is further provided with a tip portion directeddownward from the other end portion.
 3. The electrical connectingapparatus claimed in claim 2, wherein said tip portion includes a tip atits lower end and said tip of the one contact is positioned lower thanthe tip of the other contact.
 4. The electrical connecting apparatusclaimed in claim 1, wherein said one contact and said other contact areintegrally formed.
 5. The electrical connecting apparatus claimed inclaim 1, wherein the needle body portion of said one contact and theneedle body portion of said other contact are supported at a commonconnecting portion.
 6. The electrical connecting apparatus claimed inclaim 1, wherein the needle body portion of said one contact is longerthan the needle body portion of said other contact.
 7. The electricalconnecting apparatus claimed in claim 1, wherein each contact is made ofa flexible electrically conducting material.
 8. The electricalconnecting apparatus claimed in claim 1, wherein each contact includes astopper located above each contact and arranged on the underside of saidbase plate, each stopper having an underside conforming to the upside ofeach contact.
 9. A contact to be used for an electrical connectingapparatus, comprising a needle body portion having both end portions,and a tip portion extending downward in the vertical direction from eachof both end portions.